D&D: ‘Payday 3’ Developer Starbreeze Teases New Co-Op Video Game ‘ProjectBaxter’
Exactly what it says on the tin, folks. Starbreeze, the developers of Payday 3, revealed they’re working on a new D&D co-op game.
In the dozen or so metaphorical years and three actual ones that have transpired since 2020, we have heard that the future of D&D (and WotC) is digital. From corporate restructuring and a shiny new logo, to the release of new D&D video games, some amazing, others that… well to say they fell flat is a charity. The 2021 Dark Alliance release didn’t do well enough to spark outrage at how buggy and unplayable it was when it stumbled out of the gate.
Alongside all of this, WotC has been quietly opening up video game studios and starting development on many as-yet-unannounced projects. Only now, one of them is slightly more announced.
Starbreeze, the developers of Payday 3, have just teased the existence of a new “internal project, set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons.” Codenamed “Project Baxter,” this appears to be a new co-op D&D game set to release in 2026.
Accompanying the news are two images and a whole lot of buzzwords. Let’s take a look.
Starbreeze Teases New D&D Game, “Project Baxter”
Here’s the full text of the update on Starbreeze’s website:
“‘Baxter’ is Starbreeze next internal project. Set in the world of Dungeons & Dragons®, the game will feature the signature game cornerstones of Starbreeze’ productions; co-operative multiplayer, lifetime commitment through a Games as a Service-model, community engagement and a larger than life experience. Project Baxter is set to launch on all major platforms in 2026 and will be produced in Unreal Engine 5. Stay tuned for more updates”
And attached to that was an image of a D&D city and a magic user published under the filename “Warrior_Publish.” But that probably doesn’t mean anything.
What is interesting are some of the quotes, including one from Tobias Sjögren, CEO of Starbreeze, who hopes they will deliver “an amazing Dungeons & Dragons action-adventure in 2026,” as well as one from WotC that says “our collaboration with Starbreeze is a prime illustration of our strategy.”
The fact that this is being developed as a Service Game may raise some hairs. Dark Alliance had a similar model and stumbled. But, both Payday 2 and Payday 3 had success in finding their communities. It’s just a question of what that gameplay will be. Fantasy Payday could be really fun. But, also Vermintide exists.
Expect to see more as 2026 draws ever closer, despite fervent wishes that time would just chill out for a minute so we can all breathe.
